Penn State punter Riley Thompson talks process that led to extended eligibility
Penn State punter Riley Thompson thought that the No. 10 Nittany Lions trip to the Peach Bowl would be his final one as a member of the program as recently as late in the 2023 regular season. However, the Australian had his hopes for extra eligibility granted by the NCAA before bowl season began. Thus, whatever the first-year Lion and all-portal team pick of The Athletic does in Atlanta, Ga., will not be his final act in blue and white. Instead, it will be a springboard into the final two years of his college eligibility.
“I was wrapped,’ Thompson said. The Cambridge Dictionary says that is Australian’s informal way of saying they are extremely happy or excited.
“I definitely wanted to play more. I love this team, [and] I love everything that we’ve got going here. And, I think there’s so much more left out there for us. I just want to help the team as much as I could.”
Thompson went on to say that Penn State petitioned the NCAA on his behalf for more time at this level. He started his college career at Florida Atlantic in 2022, where he was a Freshman All-American via The Athletic. He then joined Penn State. But, how his move to the U.S. and time in the Sunshine State impacted his college eligibility clock took time to unpack. But, the wait was worth it, as Lions coach James Franklin announced the good news at a recent practice before the team left State College.
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Extra time means plenty to Thompson, Penn State
Penn State, until the NCAA made its ruling, was facing the possibility of seeking a new starting punter for the consecutive second season. And, where it would turn was unclear after Alex Bacchetta hit he transfer portal and ended up at Rice. Now, however, it will return a player who was good and only getting better as the season progressed.
“Playing in front of the fans, playing with my teammates, we have a really strong connection, and I feel like I was just starting to build that with everyone,” Thompson said. “So to pack up and leave after we’re just establishing this connection, and building this team, would be really hard. So, I think that’s the main thing, just getting out there with the boys again and playing in front of everyone.”
Added Lions special teams coordinator Stacy Collins:
“We’re extremely excited that Riley got those two years. He’s really progressed throughout the season. Early on, it was getting into rhythm. I thought he did an unbelievable job the last eight to nine games of the season. So he needs to continue to grow and develop. I think he’s only going to get better and better.”
